With more than 30 years in law enforcement, Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Lt. Col. Ron Hunton was named the county’s new chief marshal.

Cherokee County Manager Jerry Cooper announced Friday that Hunton, 55, will start command of the agency Aug. 18.

Cooper said the county received 48 resumes and interviewed eight candidates for the job. The position became open when Chris Collett, who headed the marshal’s office and 911 center, announced his retirement in May.

Hunton was in command of all field operations, including uniform patrol, criminal investigation and special operations for the sheriff’s office.

“Lt. Col Hunton is a respected leader that brings decades of law enforcement experience,” Cooper said. “We welcome his years of distinguished service, his commitment to public safety and his strong leadership skills to the County Marshal Agency.”

In Hunton’s new role, he will oversee the Emergency Communications Center (E911), Code Enforcement, Animal Shelter and Animal Control. His annual salary will be $100,000, Cooper said.

During his long career, Hunton has received recognition for his leadership, including the FBI Director’s Com-mendation; American Legion Award Above and Beyond the Call of Duty; Sheriff’s Citation for Meritorious Service; Optimist Club Law Enforcement Award; Kiwanis International Outstanding Service Award; Outstanding Young Man of America; and, Outstanding Policeman award from Northeast Cobb Jaycees.

“I am very excited for this opportunity to serve and to lead this agency to new heights. I look forward to continuing my relationship with the Sheriff’s Office in order to keep and grow the partnership between the two agencies,” Hunton said. “As a team, we will continue the commitment of providing the best service to the citizens of Cherokee County. My goal is simply to continue this tradition and build on a great organization that serves the citizens of Cherokee County.”

Hunton said while he had not been looking to move from the Sheriff’s Office, he thought the county marshal position would be a great opportunity to challenge himself.

Hunton received his bachelor’s from Reinhardt University and a master’s in public administration from Columbus State University. He is a graduate of the FBI Academy Class 222 and a graduate of the Force Science Institute at the University of Minnesota. He now lives with his family in Bartow County.

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